Women alleges rape by army personnel in South Kashmir

General Commanding Officer of the Army Lt General A S Hasnain on Friday denied the Indian army's involvement in th alleged rape of a Gujjar woman in South Kashmir. Hasnain, however said an internal probe has been launched into the case and strict action would be taken against the guilty but cautioned that the allegations have been leveled to "defame the force" and disturn the peace. Hasnain also told the reporters that if in case the allegations that have been alleged is true, then it is a criminal act and strict action would be taken against it. He also affirmed that the army is co-operating in the police investigation and has launched a seperate investigation of their own. A 30 year old Gujjar woman from Gujjardara-Manzgam in Kulgam district told on Thursday that a group of Army men from the nearby camp attacked her when she was conducting ablution for prayers in her hutment and later she was raped by two army men. The police have filed a rape case on the basis of these allegations. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah promised strict action against the guilty. According to the sources, the medical examination of woman, whose rape sparked protests in the area, has revealed no marks of torture or violence on her body. The also reported that the swabs taken from the woman's body has been sent for forensic examination. The woman yesterday lodged a police complaint accusing unidentified army personnel of abducting her on July 19 and raping her before being let off on July 21. The chief minister said that an identification parade shall be conducted of the army personnel. Also said that a report has been filed in the presence of a Magistrate and a Special Investigation Team has been constituted to probe the allegations. The Army Commander said he will "not rule out" the possibility that the allegations levelled against the woman can be a "instigated thing". He said that its not alone the army personel who wear this uniform but also some terrorists wear this uniform and hence different versions continue to emerge about the incident and is expected to come out with many more versions within 24 hours. Reported by     AR